Combination window and air circulator



,1. F. STEEL COM BINATION WINDOW AND AIR CIRCULATOR Original Filed Jan. 23, 1962 I Jul 5, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. c/oH/v F 5755 July 5, 1966 J. F. STEEL COMBINATION WINDOW AND AIR CIRCULATOR Original Filed Jan. 23, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR. MBA 1v F5755;

3,259,053 COMBINATION WINDOW AND AIR CIRCULATOR John F. Steel, P.0. Box 401, Palm Beach, Fla. Continuation of application Ser. No. 168,052, Jan. 23, 1962. This application June 7, 1965, Ser. No. 465,828 Claims. (Cl. 98-94) This application is a continuation of my copending application, Combination Window and Air Circulator, Serial No. 168,052, filed January 23, 1962 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to window structures, and more particularly to a unique window including apparatus for circulating air through a room without having to open the window.

As is well known, it is necessary or desirable in many window installations that the glass panes cannot or shall not be opened, but at the same time to have air circulation in the room that can normally be obtained only by opening a window. In many homes and office buildings, for example, it is common to form large expanses of wall surface with glass panes that are permanently fixed in position. In such structures, there has heretofore been no practical, inexpensive manner for selectively and continuously replenishing an individual room with fresh air.

It is often desirable to be able to replenish the air in a room with outside air just as it is, i.e., without heating or cooling the air through a heating or air conditioning system. In many rooms, however, this is impossible because there are no openings available through which to pass air directly into andv out of the room.

In such situations, the only expedient is to open windows in other parts of the house or building, and attempt to obtain cross-ventilation by means of which fresh air passing through the house may enter or pass through the room it is desired to heat or cool directly by the outside air. This expedient, of course, is highly impractical in many instances, as it most always necessitates changing the temperatures of air in other rooms where this is not desired. Furthermore, it is carried out at the expense of the comfort of per-sons in the other rooms, and still fails to achieve the desired purpose. 7 Where rooms are equipped with windows in which the panes of glass can be raised or lowered, or otherwise vented, there are almost always unsatisfactory results when attempting to position the panes so as to obtain recirculation of air from the outside. For one thing, outside air will enter such windows only if there is a breeze. If there is a breeze, it is almost impossible to adjust the windows so that the amount of air entering the room is just that required for comfort.

Still another disadvantage of movable window structures for the desired purpose is that they are not equipped to omit moisture or dirt from air that passes into the room through the window openings. Even though screens may be provided in the window openings, such elements are ineffective to prevent small particles of dirt in the atmosphere from passing into the room. Also, they are often ineffective to prevent moisture from entering a room through an open window.

It is an object of my invention to provide a unique structure that eliminates the above and other disadvantages of both fixed and movable window structures of the prior art.

It is another, object of my invention to provide a window structure that includes means for selectively forcing air into a room directly from the outside, forcing air from a room directly to the outside, or both forcing air into and out of a room in order to obtain a desired degree of recirculation and replenishment of fresh air.

A further object of my invention is to provide a unique wind-ow structure in which the supporting frame includes United States Patent 0 3,259,053 Patented July 5, 1966 ice apparatus for selectively forcing air into and out of a room.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a window structure with self-contained air moving means, which comprises a minimum number of component parts of simple design and rugged construction, capable of admitting air into a room while excluding moisture and dirt therefrom.

The above and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from. the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of an illustrative embodiment thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a window as seen from the outside, showing duct openings in the head and sill portions of the window frame, and showing hoods surrounding the duct openings;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the window of FIGURE 1 as seen from the inside, showing the inner openings in the head and sill portions of the frame through which air may pass into and out of the room, and showing switch control means in the sill unit for controlling air moving means located in both the head and sill portions of the frame;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, showing the construction of the jamb portions of the frame;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, showing the construction of the housing for the motor and fan blades in the sill portion of the frame;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 2, showing in cross-section the head and sill portions of the frame, and the housings for the motor and fans, and showing the manner in which the electric cable passes through the snap-in bead portions from the lower housing to the upper housing;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the correspondingly designated portion in FIG- URE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 4, showing how the upper and lower halves of each housing are fitted and secured together.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a window structure that includes a glass panel 10 permanently fixed in a frame 11. The frame 11 is comprised of head, sill and jamb portions 12, 13, 14. The head 12 and sill 13 include respective units 15, 16 secured therein that include means adapted to force air in one direction or the other through the head and sill. To this end, the external surfaces of the head and sill 12, 13 are provided with openings in which filters, screens or the like, indicated at 18, are located. Surrounding the filters 18 are hoods 19 that are secured to the head and sill 12, 13, as indicated at 20.

The units 15, 16 include respective mounting plates 25, 26 that are secured, as at 28, to the inner surfaces of the head and sill 12, 13. The plates 25, 26 include respective openings in which air is admitted into or withdrawn from the room, as through louvers 30.

For the purpose of forcing air into or out of the room, each of the units 15, 16 includes fan mechanisms. Re-

ferring to FIGURE 4, the unit 16 is shown to be a housing 34 in which the plate 26 forms the inner wall. Inside the unit 16, the housing 34 is formed with a pair of ducts 35, 36 which are bounded by the end walls 37, 38, inner walls 39, 40 that extend across the width of the housing 34, and, of course, the top and bottom walls (not shown) of the housing 34. As shown, the respective ducts 35, 36 effect fluid communication between respective outer and inner openings in the units 15, 16.

Within their interiors, the ducts 35, 36 are divided into inner and outer portions by thickened partitions 42, 43, within. which are provided coaxially aligned circular openings 44, 45. Positioned in the openings 44, 45 are fan elements 46, 47, the hubs of which are mounted on the ends of shafts 48, 49 that extend from the opposite ends of a motor 15 located between the partitions 39, 40. Preferably, the fan elements 46, 47 are multi-blade commonly used in fans, and are shaped so that when they are rotated in one direction, they force air in one direction through the respective ducts 35, 36, e.g., as by drawing air through the hoods 19, and when rotated in the opposite direction, they force air in the opposite direction through the ducts.

The housing 34 is of extremely simple design, and preferably is comprised of a pair of molded units, e.g., plastic, that are bolted together. Referring to FIGURES 4, and.7, the top and bottom halves of the housing are molded units which meet in a plane that includes the axis of the shafts 48, 49. Thus, each half of the housing includes one-half of the partitions 42, 43. The halves of the housing also include integral opposed projections 52, 53 through which the shafts 48, 49 extend. Hence, the projections 52, 53 constitute sleeve hearings in which the shafts 48, 49 are supported for rotation.

As previously indicated, the top and bottom halves of the housing are bolted together. To this end, the halves of the housing are molded with integral projections 54 that have central openings extending therethrough. As shown (see FIGURE 7), when the top and bottom halves of the housing are butted together, the openings in the projections 54 are in alignment. A bolt 55 is passed through the aligned openings in the projections 54, so that by tightening a nut 56 on the bolt, the halves of the housing are drawn tightly together.

As will be seen, this construction greatly facilitates assembly of the unit 16. Preparatory to securing the top and bottom halves of the housing together, the hubs that carry the fan elements 46, 47 are secured to the ends of the shafts 48, 49. The entire unit comprising the motor, its shafts and the fan elements is lowered into place on the bottom half of the housing, with the shafts 48, 49 resting on the bottom halves of the projections 52, 53 that form the sleeve bearings. Then the top half of the housing is brought into abutment with the lower half, and the two halves are bolted together. Thus assembled, the blades 46, 47 are centered within the openings 44, 45 with sufficient clearance to insure their free rotation therein.

My housing structure is also arranged to removably support the filters 18 and louvers 30. Referring to FIG- URES 2, 4 and 5, the plate 26 includes raised, L-shaped ridges that together form a pair of oppositely facing U- shaped members, 60, 61, for slidably receiving the louvered elements 30. In this connection, the louvered elements 30 preferably are secured in a seal or frame 62 of Weatherstrip material, e.g. neoprene, vinyl or the like, to form a unit that can be positioned between the arms of the U-shaped member 40 and slid into place.

The housing of my invention is also arranged to support the filters 18 shown in FIGURE 1. Referring to FIGURES 4-6 along with FIGURE 1, the outer face of the housing includes raised, oppositely extending U- shaped members 64, 65. As best shown in FIGURE 5 and 6, each filter 18 is supported in a suitable seal or frame 66 of Weatherstrip material to form a unit to be slidably positioned in the same manner as the louvered elements 30.

In addition, the hoods 19 are adapted to cooperatively engage the outer portions of the frames 66 for the filters 18 to insure proper sealing. Referring to FIGURES 5 and 6, the hoods 19 are shaped so that when they are secured in place, an inner rib 67 of the hood 19 is in firm abutment with an outer face portion of the frame 66. In this connection, the material of the frame 66 is normally of sufficient size that the outermost portion there- AZ, of extends beyond the face of the U-shaped member 64. Thus, when the hood 19 is secured in place, the rib 67 therein compresses the outer portion of the seal or frame 66, thereby ,to insure an effective seal to prevent air or moisture from passing around the frame.

The units 15, 16 are identical assemblies. However, the lower unit 16 is additionally provided with controls for the motors in both units 15, 16. As shown in FIG- URE 2, the center portions of the inner plates 25, 26 of both units are provided with raised portions 25, 26. In the unit that is to constitute the lower unit, openings are drilled or punched in the center portion to receive shafts on which switch control knobs 70, 71 are mounted.

Switches 72, 73 are secured to the inner wall of the center portion 26 and suitably wired so that one switch 73 controls the operation of the motor 50 in the lower unit 16, and the other switch 72 controls the operation of the motor in the upper unit 15. Such wiring preferably is such that each switch can be actuated by the knobs 7t 71 to reverse the direction of motor operation, and to turn the motor off. As will be apparent, the wiring must include suitable connections, as to a plug for connection to a power line outlet (not shown).

The wiring to the motor in the upper unit 15 includes a cable 75 (see FIGURE 5) that extends through the sill 13, one of the jambs through the head 12, and into the unit 15 where connection is made to the motor therein. Openings (not shown) are drilled or punched in the upper wall of the housing of the lower unit 16 and the lower wall of the upper unit, to permit the ends of the cable 75 to extend into the units 15, 16.

The construction of the different portions of the frame 11 enables the cable 75 to be led through the frame without drilling or punching any openings therein. The same construction also functions to secure the glass pane 10 in place. Referring to FIGURE 5, the head 12 is formed of two extruded members 76, 77 which in cross-section are L-shaped with the ends of their legs being outwardly folded, i.e., re-entrant, as indicated at 76, 77'. To form the head 12;, the members 76, 77 are simply placed end to end; their re-entrant portions 76', 77 meshed, and then they are slid together.

The sill 13 is formed in the same manner as the head 12. Extrusion members 78, 79 are provided with reentrant portions 78, 79 adapted to be interlocked.

In the arrangement shown in FIGURE 5, the extrusion member 76 forms the upper and outer walls of the head 12, and the extrusion member 77 forms the lower and inner walls of the head. Similarly, the lower and outer walls of the sill 13 are formed by the extrusion member 78, and the upper and inner walls of the sill are formed by the extrusion member 79. The extrusion members 76, 78 are adapted to be secured in abutment wtih studs 86 that define the window opening for the frame, as by conventional rib 81, 82 to be anchored to the studs.

The outer faces of the extrusion members 76, 78 extend past their re-entrant portions 76, 78, such extensions in cross-section being Lshaped, with corresponding legs turned inwardly and parallel to the adjacent walls of the associated extrusion members 77, 79, and terminating in curved re-entrant portions 77", 79" that face inwardly. Fitted againstlthese edge portions of the extrusion members is an elongated Weatherstrip 84. The Weatherstrip, e.g., vinyl, is shown to be tubular, and includes a raised lip 85 that is adapted to be locked over the edge of the reentrant portions 76", 78 of the extrusion members 76, 78. This insures that the Weatherstrip 84 cannot be dislodged.

The glass pane 18 is fitted against the Weatherstrip 84 and secured in place so that the outer face of the pane along' its edges compresses the Weatherstrip to insure a tight seal against dirt and moisture. To secure the pane 10 in this position, the confronting walls of the extrusion members 77, 79 are provided with integral, aligned rib extensions 86, 87 and 88, 89, respectively. Snap-in glazing beads 90, 91, which are channel-shaped extrusions in which the legs are spring-like, are then positioned with their legs interlocked with the respective rib extensions 86, 87 and 88, 89.

The glazing beads 90, 91 are of such size that the outer surfaces of respective legs thereof 'bear against the inner surfaces of the glass pane, holding it in position wherein the Weatherstrip 84 is compressed to form the desired seal.

The jambs 14 are similarly adapted to hold the pane in place. Referring to FIGURE 3, the jambs 14 are plate extrusions 94 that are provided with rib extensions 95, 96, 97 from one surface that are identical in size and shape to the extensions from the confronting surfaces of the extrusion members 77, 79 of the head and sill. The extension 95 terminates in a re-entrant portion 98, to which the Weatherstrip 84 is attached, and a snap-in glazing bead 99 is fitted between the extensions 96, 97 so the glass pane 10 is sandwiched between the Weatherstrip 84 and the bead 99.

It will be seen that the arrangement of the channelshaped glazing beads 90, 91, 99 and the confronting surfaces of the extrusion members 77, 79, 94 of the head, sill and jarnbs, a hollow space is provided beneath the inner surfaces of the frame, i.e., beneath the glazing beads. Accordingly, there are no obstructions through which the cable 75 must pass in being led through the sill, up one of the jambs and through the head.

To aid in positioning the glass pane, I provide padding 100 (see FIGURES 5 and 6) along the upper surface of he sill extrusion member 79. The pane 10 is initially positioned with its lower edge resting on the padding 100. Thus, there is no danger that the lower edge of the pane can be accidentally forced against metal portions of the adjacent extrusion and be chipped or broken.

It should be noted that the window structure of my invention permits direction of air flow into and out of a room to be selectively controlled. Either the top unit 15 or the bottom unit 16 can be selectively operated to force air into or out of the room. Or the units 15, 16 are operable so that one, e.g., the top unit 15, forces air out Where the other unit 16 draws air into the room, and vice versa.

Also, my window structure permits air from the outside from entering the room altogether. To do this, it is only necessary to replace the filters 18 or the louver elements 30 with fiat panels, e.g., plastic, Wood, metal, etc.

It will be apparent that while I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment thereof, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not intend that my invention shall be limited, except as by the appended claims.

-I claim:

1. In combination:

a window frame having head, sill and j-arnb portions joined together to be positioned in a window opening, one of said portions having spaced inner and outer walls with spaced openings therein;

a housing disposed between said Walls formed of two longitudinal sections secured together, each section being provided with internal partitions which are in abutment when the sections are secured together, said partitions of the two sections together forming a duct extending between respective openings in said inner and outer Walls, each section also including a semi-circular rib intermediate the ends of each duct and at right angles to said inner and outer walls, said semi-circular ribs together forming respective circular openings when said sections are in abutment;

.a shaft extending i rough the centers of said circular openings and the opposed sides of said ducts;

a fan mounted on said shaft in each circular opening;

and

motor means for rotating said shaft, thereby to rotate said fan and cause .air to be drawn through said duct.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said inner and outer walls are formed of a pair of extruded members joined together to define an enclosed hollow space, said housing being releasably positioned in said space with the ends of each duct aligned with respective openings in said inner and outer walls.

3. The combination of claim 1, further including, adjacent the upper portion of each opening in said outer wall, an element extending outwardly from said outer wall and forming a protective hood over the opening.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein each hood element is formed as an integral portion of a respective frame surrounding the opening, said frame being releasably se-cured to the outer surface of said outer wall.

.5. The combination of claim 4, further including a laterally extending rib on each section of said housing .at each end of each duct, said ribs extending through the openings in said inner and outer walls, said ribs at each opening defining a channel; a screen element slidably disposed. in and friotionally engaging the channel at one end of each duct; and an element containing a plurality of louvers sl-idably disposed in and friction-ally engaging the channel at the other end of each duct.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,249,641 7/ 1941 Stuck-i 9888 2,349,316 5/1944 Van Dorn 98-6 2,559,495 7/1951 Calkins 98-94 2,945,269 7/ 1960 Domen 20-56.4 3,064,320 11/ 1962 Blaszkowski 20-56.4 3,090,085 4/ 1963 Brown 20-56.4 3,094,058 6/ 1963 OBr-ien 9-8-97 JOHN F. OCONNOR, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION: A WINDOW FRAME HAVING HEAD, SILL AND JAMB PORTIONS JOINED TOGETHER TO BE POSITIONED IN A WINDOW OPENING, ONE OF SAID PORTIONS HAVING SPACED INNER AND OUTER WALLS WITH SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN; A HOSUING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID WALLS FORMED OF TWO LONGITUDINAL SECTIONS SECURED TOGETHER, EACH SECTION BEING PROVIDED WITH INTERNAL PARTITIONS WHICH ARE IN ABUTMENT WHEN THE SECTIONS ARE SECURED TOGETHER, SAID PARTITIONS OF THE TWO SECTIONS TOGETHER FORMING A DUCT EXTENDING BETWEEN RESPECTIVE OPENINGS IN SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLS, EACH SECTION ALSO INCLUDING A SEMI-CIRCULAR RIB INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF EACH DUCT AND AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLS, SAID SEMI-CIRCULAR RIBS TOGETHER FORMING RESPECTIVE CIRCULAR OPENINGS WHEN SAID SECTIONS ARE IN ABUTMENT; A SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE CENTERS OF SAID CENTRAL OPENINGS AND THE OPPOSED SIDES OF SAID DUCTS; A FAN MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT IN EACH CIRCULAR OPENING; AND MOTOR MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT, THEREBY TO ROTATE SAID FAN AND CAUSE AIR TO BE DRAWN THROUGH SAID DUCT. 